CMH Transport Thermoregulation Survey

* 1. The CMH Transport Service has a policy, or multiple policies, to encompass thermoregulation for transport of infants of all gestational ages and birth weights.

True
False

* 2. Do you feel that you know the policy for thermoregulation of extremely low birth weight (ELBW) infants well enough to teach it to a new employee?

Yes
No
Not applicable because there is no policy

* 3. How often do you think all of the procedures for maintaining an appropriate temperature or achieving an appropriate temperature for ELBW babies are followed by the transport team?

<25% of the time
25%-50% of the time
50%-75% of the time
>75% of the time

* 4. Axillary temperature is preferred to rectal temperature for routine vital sign measurements in any baby.

True
False

* 5. An axillary temperature of 36.3°C in a preterm infant represents

hypothermia (low body temperature)
normal body temperature
hyperthermia (high body temperature)

* 6. An axillary temperature of 36.3°C in a term infant represents

hypothermia (low body temperature)
normal body temperature
hyperthermia (high body temperature)

* 7. What is considered to be the normal temperature range for a baby <= 1500 grams birth weight?

36.0 C - 37.0 C
36.5 C - 37.5 C
35.5 C - 36.5 C
None of the above

* 8. What is a possible outcome of HYPERthermia?

apnea
bradycardia
tachypnea
sepsis
All of the above
apnea & tachypnea only

* 9. What is a possible outcome of HYPOthermia?

hypoglycemia
hypoxia
metabolic acidosis
increased mortality
All of the above
hypoglycemia & metabolic acidosis only

* 10. Which babies are at increased risk for hypothermia?

preterm babies
small for gestational age (SGA) babies
large for gestational age (LGA) babies
sick babies
All of the above
preterm, SGA, and sick babies

* 11. An elevated temperature is most commonly caused by an infection in a baby.

True
False

* 12. Which of the following is a correct list of the different modes of heat loss?

Conduction, radiation, consumption, condition
Evaporation, radiation, consumption, convection
Radiation, convection, condition, evaporation
Convection, conduction, evaporation, radiation

* 13. It is generally recommended that babies who are cold-stressed should be re-warmed slowly.

True
False

* 14. A baby with a slightly low body temperature requires fewer calories and less oxygen than a baby with a normal temperature.

True
False

* 15. Supplemental oxygen should be warmed and humidified for any preterm infant.

True
False

* 16. The transport isolette should be pre-warmed to the desired temperature prior to placing the baby inside.

True
False

* 17. What does placing a baby in a neutral thermal environment do for the baby?

Ensures the baby will not get sick
Ensures the baby’s body temperature will remain normal
Ensures the baby is using the minimum energy (oxygen and calories) to maintain a normal body temperature
18. What are some of the barriers to achieving good thermoregulation when an infant <=1500 grams birth weight is transported by the CMH team? Please rank highest to lowest, with highest being 1 and lowest being 5.
 

1
2
3
4
5
Other clinical needs trump the baby’s body temperature assessment and the need to achieve a neutral thermal environment on transport.
The necessary equipment needed to achieve a neutral thermal environment is not readily available on transport.
There is not enough personnel available to ensure adequate thermoregulation on transport.
There is not enough time to achieve a neutral thermal environment on transport.
Other work flow demands on transport do not allow for appropriate thermoregulation.

19. Please provide an example of the barrier you ranked highest (1) and explain, in your own words, why you think it is the greatest barrier to achieving good thermoregulation on transport. If you have other comments to make in this regard, please share them here as well.